install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%

brew install gnu-barcode

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%

sudo port install barcode

MacPorts ports tree · textproc/barcode/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%

sudo apk add barcode

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · barcode · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org

Debian aptverified · 92%

sudo apt install barcode

Debian stable package indexes · barcode · source: deb.debian.org

Fedora dnfverified · 92%

sudo dnf install barcode

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · barcode · source: dl.fedoraproject.org

Nixverified · 92%

nix profile install nixpkgs#barcode

nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/ba/barcode/package.nix · source: api.github.com

Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%

sudo pacman -S barcode

Arch Linux sync databases · barcode · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com

openSUSE zypperverified · 92%

sudo zypper install barcode

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · barcode · source: download.opensuse.org

overview

Package summary

Convert text strings to printed bars

Project links

Commands and aliases

barcode
sample

history

Project history and usage

GNU Barcode is a GNU command-line tool and library for turning text strings into printable barcode output, originally centered on PostScript and Encapsulated PostScript and later extended with output formats such as SVG and PCL.

Project history

The project was authored and maintained in the GNU ecosystem by Alessandro Rubini. Its README describes a package built to cover common barcode creation needs with a conventional printer, shipping both a library and a command-line front end so applications and scripts can generate barcode symbols.

The 0.99 NEWS entry records later maintenance work including internationalization, GPLv3-or-later licensing, SVG support, and PCL output. That makes GNU Barcode a small but durable example of GNU's printer-and-text utility culture.

Adoption history

GNU Barcode's upstream README notes distribution through ftp.gnu.org and GNU mirrors, a Windows port through GnuWin32, FreeBSD ports packaging, and downstream use by GLabels. Its adoption pattern is therefore typical of focused Unix utilities: not a broad platform, but a reusable program and library that other label-printing tools could embed.

How it is used

Practitioners use the `barcode` command to read strings from the command line or standard input and emit printable barcode pages or EPS fragments. It supports common product and book codes including UPC, EAN, ISBN, CODE39, and related formats, with sizing and label-table options useful for sticker sheets and print workflows.

Why package nerds care

Package maintainers care about GNU Barcode because it exposes a narrow, scriptable function with few moving parts: encode strings, select a symbology, and produce printer-friendly output. Its library/front-end split also made it useful as a dependency for label software rather than only as a standalone command.

Timeline

1999: GNU Barcode web page copyright record begins.
2011: GNU Barcode 0.99 NEWS records i18n, GPLv3-or-later, SVG, and PCL work.
2013: 0.99 NEWS copyright update recorded by the Free Software Foundation.

Related projects

GLabels used GNU Barcode internally according to the upstream README.
Bookland.py is discussed by the README as a related ISBN-oriented barcode program.
GnuWin32 maintained a Windows port listed by upstream.

Sources

security posture

Risk level: green

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.

Risk classifier

green risk · low confidence · appliance

Why

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals

Signals

metadata:no-higher-risk-signals

Install behavior

No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 13 platform targets.

Recommended review

Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.

executables

Installed executables

Command	Kind	Exposure	Note
`barcode`	cli	global executable
`sample`	cli	global executable

freshness

Version and freshness

These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.

page generated2026-07-08

manager version0.99

manager updated

local dataok

upstreamnot checked

latest detectednot detected

https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode/

infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
infoRelease/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories.https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode/none confidence

install metadata

Package metadata

Package key	brew:gnu-barcode
Version	0.99
Package manager	Homebrew
Package manager page	https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/gnu-barcode
Homepage	https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode/
Repository	https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/barcode.git
Upstream docs	https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode
License	GPL-3.0-or-later
Source archive	https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/gnu/barcode/barcode-0.99.tar.gz
Bottle	available (on arm64_big_sur, arm64_linux, arm64_monterey, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, big_sur, catalina, monterey, sonoma, ventura, x86_64_linux)
Homebrew post-install	not defined
Service	none declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source Database	Homebrew formula API
Tap	homebrew/core
Full Name	gnu-barcode
Version Scheme	0
Revision	0
Bottle Stable Root URL	https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecated	no
Disabled	no
Keg Only	no
URL Keys	stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

MacPorts94%

barcode

sudo port install barcode

installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Barcode

MacPorts ports tree · api.github.com · MacPorts ports tree: textproc/barcode/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1

Debian apt92%

barcode 0.99-9

Utility for barcode generation

https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode/

sudo apt install barcode

Section: graphics
Architecture: amd64
2 dependencies
1 optional deps
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Barcode

Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: barcode from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz

Nix92%

barcode

nix profile install nixpkgs#barcode

installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Barcode

nixpkgs package indexes · api.github.com · nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ba/barcode/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1

Ubuntu apt92%

barcode 0.99-7

Utility for barcode generation

https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode/

sudo apt install barcode

Section: universe/graphics
Architecture: amd64
2 dependencies
1 optional deps
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Barcode

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: barcode from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

apk92%

barcode 0.99-r1

Convert text strings to printed bars in various standards

https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode/

sudo apk add barcode

License: GPL-3.0-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: barcode
1 dependencies
1 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Barcode

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: barcode from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

dnf92%

barcode 0.98-54.fc44

Generates barcodes from text strings

https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode/

sudo dnf install barcode

License: GPL-2.0-or-later
Category: Unspecified
Architecture: i686
Source Package: barcode
2 dependencies
1 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Barcode

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: barcode from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst

dnf92%

barcode-devel 0.98-54.fc44

Header files and libraries for barcode development

https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode/

sudo dnf install barcode-devel

License: GPL-2.0-or-later
Category: Unspecified
Architecture: i686
Source Package: barcode
1 dependencies
2 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Barcode

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: barcode-devel from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst

pacman92%

barcode 0.99-6

A tool to convert text strings to printed bars

https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode/

sudo pacman -S barcode

License: GPL-3.0-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
1 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Barcode

Arch Linux sync databases · geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com · Arch Linux sync databases: barcode from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz

zypper92%

barcode 0.99-12.4

Text-Mode Barcode Creation Utility

https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode

sudo zypper install barcode

License: GPL-3.0-or-later
Category: Productivity/Graphics/Other
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: barcode
2 dependencies
1 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Barcode

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · download.opensuse.org · openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: barcode from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst

zypper92%

barcode-devel 0.99-12.4

Text-Mode Barcode Creation Utility - Development files

https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode

sudo zypper install barcode-devel

License: GPL-3.0-or-later
Category: Development/Libraries/C and C++
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: barcode
1 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Barcode

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · download.opensuse.org · openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: barcode-devel from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst

package graph

Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

source trail

Generated from repository data

This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.

Combined YAML source

View the package source record on GitHub.

combined/gnu-barcode.yml

Used sources

Geiger risk classifier
Nucleus package database
av.db category and tag curation
cross-ecosystem install command graph
curated package history
external package-manager database matches
package relationship graph
package version freshness
package-page enrichment

Install gnu-barcode with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper

Additional install commands

macOS

Linux

Package summary

Project links

Commands and aliases

Project history and usage

Project history

Adoption history

How it is used

Why package nerds care

Timeline

Related projects

Sources

Risk level: green

Risk classifier

Why

Signals

Install behavior

Recommended review

Installed executables

Version and freshness

Package metadata

Source database details

Other package-manager records

Internal package links

Topical hubs

Related tools

Same workflow

Agent security guides

Generated from repository data

Combined YAML source

Used sources